Archive | July, 2016

Once again La Habra and La Habra Heights residents have to be aware of West Nile Virus from mosquitoes.
This year, La Habra has had eight mosquito samples that have tested positive for West Nile Virus, which makes it the most in Orange County according to Jared Dever from the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control.

Maps courtesy Orange County Vector Control DistrictLa Bonita Park: The neighborhoods to the west, east and south of La Bonita Park are set to be sprayed July 20-21 in an effort to kill mosquitoes and the potential spread of West Nile Virus.

The positive tests came from areas centered around La Bonita and Orsonio Parks. Orsonio Park is on the border of La Habra and La Habra Heights. OC Vector Control personnel have been focused on these areas. They have been working with the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District, which covers Whittier and La Habra Heights, but have been taking the lead on addressing these cases in La Habra.
Dever explained that the organization has dedicated additional inspectors, laboratory staff, and community outreach staff to the areas with the highest concentrations of the virus.
Vector Control has used aerial surveillance to determine areas that could be potential breeding grounds. Stagnant or standing water, “green” pools, and still water in flood channels have been identified and residents have been notified. OCMVCD also worked with the city to identify public areas that could be breeding grounds.
Based on the great health risk, OCMVCD will be treating the neighborhoods and areas around the two parks.
“The last thing we want is for somebody to become sick,” said Jim Gomez, mayor of La Habra.
There have been cases of La Habra residents that have contracted the virus in the past. There were eight fatalities attributed to West Nile Virus in the county last year.
Treatment of homes, front and back yards, will occur over two consecutive nights, Wednesday July 20 and Thursday July 21 from 6 – 9 p.m. OCMVCD personnel will use a backpack fogger and spend about five to eight minutes on each home.

Backpack foggers will also be used to treat Osornio Park and a portion of La Mirada Creek. A truck-mounted fogger will be used at La Bonita Park.
The 55 homes that will be treated near Orsornio Park are located along the county border near the intersection of Hacienda Road and Russell Street.

Orsornio Park: The neighborhoods to the west, south and east across Hacienda Boulevard are set to be sprayed July 20-21 in an effort to kill mosquitoes and the potential spread of West Nile Virus. .

Osornio Park and portions of La Mirada Creek will be fogged with backpacks. The 102 homes near La Bonita Park that have been identified are located south of Whittier Boulevard near Idaho Street.
According to Dever, the mosquito adulticide product the OCMVCD will be using is Aqua Duet a water-based pesticide. According to the OCMVCD, the Pesticides targeting adult mosquitoes are applied in small aerosolized droplets, which degrade quickly in the environment.
The application rate and concentration is such that a product should pose no significant risk to humans, pets or plants.
According to the OCMVCD notices, the District uses public health pesticides approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Pesticide Regulation for use on and over outdoor residential and recreation areas.
However, Dever said that the OCMVCD staff cannot do it alone. “We need the assistance of every La Habra resident to help suppress mosquito breeding and prevent the transmission of West Nile virus,” Dever said.
Residents are encouraged to dump or drain stagnant water and ensure window and door screens are in good repair on their property.
“These two simple steps will ensure mosquitoes are not breeding on their property, and keep adult mosquitoes from getting inside their homes,” Dever said.
To help deter bites, Dever suggested that residents should apply mosquito repellent and weari loose and light-colored long sleeves and pants when out at dusk and in the evening.

The La Habra Heights City Council asked interim City Manager Tom Robinson to develop a community-centered fire watch program.
According to La Habra Heights Mayor Kyle Miller, a comprehensive program to help safeguard the city is important due to the high fire risk in the Heights.
Two citizen groups have been operating in the city and helping to watch for fire and safety hazards across the city, Fire Watch and Heights Watch.
Robinson said that he would like to work with La Habra Heights Fire Chief Doug Graft come up with a recommendation for the council to discuss and possibly accept.
Mayor Pro Tem Jane Williams stressed that the plan should consider and incorporate the work that has been done by Fire Watch, and acknowledged the personal investment the citizen members have committed to the public safety organization.
Robinson said that the staff would reach out and work with all parties invested in the public and fire safety to come up with a comprehensive recommendation.
Miller and the city council authorized Robinson to develop the program.
Some of these issues might be discussed at the barbecue event that Heights Watch is hosting on August 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Park on Hacienda Road.
Residents must RSVP to attend. Call 562-315-8494 for more information.
The Heights council also approved a contract with CivilSource, the city’s design civil engineer, to examine and propose new guardrails along Fullerton and Hacienda Roads.
There are 750 linear feet of guardrail along the two roads and the council agreed that most are in need of repair.
CalTrans has adjusted and changed some specifications of guardrails since the current ones were installed. CivilSource will analyze and prepare a report and cost estimate for the council.
CivilSource will be paid $14,500 from the city’s Gas Tax Fund for their services.

When Sonora High School’s marching band performs they transport a trailer carrying all of their instruments and equipment, and it quickly became apparent to them that retrieving and setting up instruments in the dark was a very dangerous and inefficient task.

Going green: Recent Sonora graduate Matthew Hinkley, 17, installed solar panels on the Sonora Band trailer to power lighting and replaced the interior of the trailer for his Eagle Scout service project. Universal Wiring and Ganahl Lumber donated equipment and the project was completed July 1.

That all changed recently when Sonora graduate and soon to be Eagle Scout, Matthew Hinkley, 17, decided to take charge.
Hinkley graduated from Sonora with high honors this year and was a part of Sonora’s marching band where he played the tenor saxophone, therefore he’s very familiar with the daunting obstacles that came with the trailer’s unfortunate circumstances.
In order to become an Eagle Scout Hinkley needed to organize and complete an Eagle Scout service project that would benefit his community, so he set his focus on how he could improve the band’s trailer. He decided on completely renovating the trailer by adding new flooring, walls, and lights both inside and outside.
The 1998 Pace American Cargo Sport trailer was purchased two years ago by the band president at the time, Mike Rivers, because they were getting tired of having to constantly rent cargo trucks.
This project began in early April of this year when Hinkley contacted La Habra based electrical wiring company Universal Wiring, asking if he could show them his PowerPoint presentation on how he could accomplish this project with their help. Owners Paul and Irma Prado were very impressed with his presentation and his desire to help his community, so they decided to assist with the project by donating all of the electrical components.

Work crew: Scouts from Troop 919, family and friends helped Matthew Hinkley remodel and install solar panels in the Sonora Band trailer.

The company donated two solar panels, two 12-volt batteries, over 12 LED lights, necessary wires, and labor, which totaled out to over $3,000, according to Universal Wiring co-owner Irma Prado.
Ganahl Lumber also assisted with the project by donating a $100 gift card to their stores, which assisted with the new flooring and walls.
The trailer renovations began on June 25. Hinkley directed a team consisting of the Boy Scouts from La Mirada Troop 919, family, friends and the Sonora Band Director, Jerome Diebolt, to remove and replace the oil soaked and paint splashed interior plywood. On July 1, Universal Wiring installed the electrical system, and the following day renovations were completed.
Sonora High School chemistry teacher, Jack Hawkins, is familiar with Hinkley’s accomplishment and said he couldn’t be any more proud of him.
“I’ve worked with many students that have done Eagle Scout projects before, and all have been good, but none have been as unique and as far reaching and have the ability to serve as many people as this one does,” Hawkins said.
Now that Hinkley has completed his Eagle Scout service project he is currently in the process of submitting his final application to the character board of the Greater Los Angeles Area Council in order to advance to the final rank of Eagle Scout.
Those primarily benefiting from Hinkley’s achievement are the members of the marching band that will now be able to see clearly while transporting their costly instruments. Sonora High School student and marching band member, Ashley Miller, is excited to put the new trailer to use during her final year at Sonora.
“This project is going to be very handy for the upcoming years, because we won’t have to scramble around in the dark looking for stuff anymore,” Miller said.
With a bright future ahead of him, Hinkley is headed into his first year at California State University, Fullerton where he says he’ll more than likely enroll in the pre-med program, because he would like to spend the rest of his life helping those in need.
“I enjoy lending a hand,” Hinkley said. “If someone needs help I’ll be there, because I feel it’s the right thing to do.”

There are several local theaters that are holding auditions for the next couple of weeks and the plays that they have planned are going to be fascinating to say the least.

La Habra’s Mysterium Theater is holding auditions for the musical version of “Pinocchio” Aug. 15 and 16 at the theater located at 311 Euclid St.
Artistic Director Marla Ladd said that those actors wishing to audition should bring a head shot and resume, prepare a song of 16-32 bars, be prepared to dance and cold read from the script.
The play runs Oct. 6-27, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. For further information contact Ladd at 562-697-3311.
Mysterium will be opening the famous Broadway Musical “Guys and Dolls” Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. It will run through the 28th. For tickets and reservations contact the theater at the number above.

Huntington Beach Playhouse is continuing its run of the famous comedy “MASH” through Aug. 13 at the theater located inside the Huntington Beach Library at 7111 Talbert Ave. with 8 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday nights and a 2 p.m. performance on Saturdays. There are no Sunday performances.
Tickets for the production are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors. Students, active military are $20 each. For reservations and tickets call the box office at 714-375-0696.The Long Beach Playhouse will be holding auditions for both its mainstage and studio theaters in August with the famous Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson trying to solve the “Hounds of the Baskervilles” and that famous Stephan Sondhiem musical “Sweeney Todd”.
Auditions for “Baskervilles,” directed by Mitchell Nunn, will be held Aug. 1 and 2 at the theater located at 5021 S. Anaheim St., Long Beach at 7 p.m. Nunn asks that those wishing to audition bring a head shot and resume and be prepared to cold read from the script.
The play will run Sept. 24 through Oct. 22. in the mainstage. For further information contact the theater at 562-494-1014.
Auditions for “Sweeney Todd,” will be held Aug. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. The musical is directed by Sean F. Gray and he asks that those auditioning should bring a head shot and resume and be prepared to sing 16 bars of a Sondhiem song and be prepared to move and dance.
“Sweeney Todd” will perform Oct. 15 through Nov. 19 in the studio theater. For further information contact the theater at the number above.
In addition to the auditions, Long Beach will continue its productions currently on the boards with “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” on the mainstage through Aug. 6. and “Reasons To Be Pretty,” through Aug. 20 in the Studio Theater.
For tickets and reservations call 562-494-1014.

Stages Theater in Fullerton will be holding auditions for “Monique,” a mystery/suspense play written by Dorothy and Michael Blankfort and directed by Rose London Aug. 6 at the theater, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton beginning at 10 a.m.
The play will run Sept. 30 through Nov. 6 at the theater.
Those auditioning should bring a head shot and resume and be prepared to cold read from the script. For further information contact the theater at 714-525-4484.
Stages will also open its production of “Dogs of War” written and directed by Hero P. Carlisle Aug. 5 through Sept. 11. There are different times and days for performances so phone for times, etc.
“Monuments” written and directed by Steve Spehar will open Aug. 19 and continue through Sept. 11.
For reservations and tickets to all of the shows coming up, call the theater at the number above.

Westminster Community Playhouse will open William Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors,” Aug. 12 at the theater, 7272 Maple St., Westminster. The play will run three weeks through Aug. 28 and will play at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets for the play will be $10 for children and students, $20 for seniors and $22 for general. For reservations and tickets call the theater at 714-893-8626.
Westminster will also hold auditions for Agatha Christie’s “A Murder Announced,” directed by Priscilla Gonzalez, Aug. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. Those auditioning should bring a head shot and resume and be prepared to cold read from the script. For information call the theater at the number above.

Feel free to get a hold of me if you have a play opening or auditions coming up at your theater or if you would like to let us know what your local theater is doing. Contact me at johnstoy@flash.net.
(John Francis has been a member of the local theater community for the past 50 years. He has a BA and MA in acting/directing from Cal State University Los Angeles.).

Comments Off on COMMUNITY THEATER ROUNDUP: Auditions and schedules announced

As was reported last issue, Dr. Susan Belenardo will be retiring from the La Habra City School District. This comes at a time where there is a vacant seat on the school board and an election for that vacant seat and another seat looming.
This is worth noting because it is the elected school board that hires the district superintendent.
There has been a lot of talk and questions concerning the process in which to select the new superintendent for the La Habra City School District. Much speculation and guessing has gone on since her retirement was announced.
This concern and enthusiasm for the next top administrator for the district probably comes from parents and concerned citizens who, like most in education, want what’s best for the children.
With this in mind, it’s important to note that there has been a history of unease with the district. A challenging strike by the teachers for a livable contract and concerns from parents regarding low test scores.
The next step in the process will be for the board to appoint an interim superintendent. The interim can be from within the district or outside of the district. They will also advertise the position. According to the current board chair, John Dobson, No permanent superintendent will be hired until the new board has been elected and seated, which means spring 2017.
This means the interim superintendent will be in place at the beginning of the school year and into the spring. (Interestingly enough, this will mark the first time that neither school district in La Habra will start the school year without permanent superintendents manning the helm.)
It also means that the election this November will play a major role in the future of the La Habra City School District. Whoever runs and whomever is elected will have a say in the process and hiring of the next superintendent.
The board and the new full board have a large task ahead of them and something that should not be taken lightly and should not be rushed.
With the shadows of the past, it will be important for the board to conduct a hiring process that is inclusive of all parties involved. The board has said that it will be seeking the services of outside companies to help find strong candidates.
Once the candidates are collected, the board should have a committee established that will include teachers, classified employees and community members to review the applications and determine who will be named as the finalists. Then those will be sent to the board to interview and make a selection.
A suggested committee could be made up of the following: one classified, two teachers, two committee members.
This five person committee would be able to screen the applications and then come up with a handful of candidates that the new board will be able to interview them and then select the best person for the position.
It is vital to the district employees and the community that the board makes this process inclusive and with visible and sincere consideration of the candidates.
It is also important for all those who have expressed concern about the district and the selection of the future superintendent to voice their thoughts and concern to the district.
We as a community need to help do our part to ensure that we do the best that we can for our children and their education.
Take the time to see the candidates for school board and look for opportunities to help the district.

After 40 years working in the field of education, Dr. Susan Belenardo announced her retirement last week.
The La Habra City School District superintendent will serve her last day on August 5.
Belenardo served the last 14 years with La Habra City School District. For the last eight years, she served as the district’s superintendent, and prior to that as assistant superintendent for six.
Over this time, she has seen some changes.
“I am most proud of how far the district has come in creating a 21st Century learning environment for all students,” Belenardo said. “This includes the implementation of the Common Core Standards, the 4 C’s – Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking, embracing a Growth Mindset, and using technology to support instruction.”
Belenardo added that the changes and growth in the district would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of “a great team of administrators, certificated and classified staff members dedicated to the work they do for the children in the La Habra City School District.”
She also pointed out the support of the past and current board members.
While Belenardo is retiring from her position as superintendent, she will continue teaching education administration at University of California, Irvine and volunteering time to Autism Awareness.
“I don’t know how to define retirement,” she said with a laugh. “I plan on spending more time with my family, and having time for more travel adventures. I am most looking forward to flexibility to do what I want when I want.”
The district board members will post a job listing and appoint an interim superintendent.
A committee will be put together to select a new superintendent. “We will be following procedures,” said Board President John Dobson. “We will make sure we do it right.”
With only four board members, Dobson said that he didn’t foresee a new superintendent being hired until after the November elections and the placement of a full board.

With the departure of Shauna Clark as city manager, the La Habra Heights City Council has appointed former La Mirada City Manager Tom Robinson in the interim position.

Courtesy of FacebookInterim Manager: Former La Mirada City manager Tom Robinson (picture here with La Mirada city council members at his retirement in 2013) was hired as interim city manager by the La Habra Heights City Council. Robinson’s six-month contract starts on July 8.

“Tom Robinson has many years in the public sector and we’re fortunate to have him as an interim city manager while we continue our search for a permanent replacement,” said LHH Mayor Kyle Miller.
Robinson retired from La Mirada in 2013 where he had served as city manager for five years.
He has roughly 40 years experience working with city governments, most of which was spent with La Mirada.
LHH Council members are continuing to interview candidates for the permanent position, and are moving into the second interview phase.
“We’ll have Tom for up to six months, however we hope to hire a new city manager prior to that,” Miller added.
Robinson will start July 8 as Clark will retire on July 7.
Clark recommended Robinson for the position.
Clark announced her retirement in April after spending nine years as the city manager for the Heights.
“We thank Shauna for her time here helping the city and wish her the very best,” Miller added.
As the interim manager, Robinson will work 30 hours per week and earn about $80 per hour.
The contract is for six months of service, but Miller said he was hopeful that the council would be able to hire a permanent city manager in the next few months.

A dream has been achieved for one La Habra resident.
Rich Schiesser completed his first novel and will be at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Fullerton on July 17 for his book signing.

Local author: La Habra based author Rich Schiesser just completed his first novel, “Shattered Hearts.” He will be signing copies of his book July 17 at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Fullerton.

Not a stranger to publishing, Schiesser has written the first and second editions of “IT” (Information Technology) Systems Management, which has been used as a technical handbook, management reference guide, and college textbook, and is in use at over 20 universities worldwide. He is also the co-author of best selling “IT Production Services.”
“As gratifying as that was, my dream was to always write a novel, a work of fiction and that is what lead me to ‘Shattered Hearts’,” Schiesser said.
His novel, “Shattered Hearts” makes his first venture into the world of fiction and his first official novel.
The move to write a novel just seems right for Schiesser.
“Once I had the story, I felt the story was something I hoped could be published,” he said. “I wanted to share this story with other people.”
The story follows the lives of three very different Atlanta families whose lives intersect and collide in violent and unexpected ways.
One is a middle-class family struggling with the challenges of raising two teen-aged sons who are far apart in age, temperament and needs. Another is a law enforcement family with surprising conflicts of its own. The third is a family of bikers ruthlessly focused on growing their drug business to teens, no matter the costs.
The intertwining of these very diverse lives is an emotional drama with surprise twists that ultimately renews a reader’s faith in the human condition.
“It has topical topics, contemporary topics, such as, the challenges of raising two teenage boys, the temptation of drugs, the threat of gangs,” Schiesser explained. “There are a lot of topics I think a lot of people could relate to today.”
While writing the novel Schiesser said he faced many challenges and sought help from non-fiction experts.
He explained that he went to some book festivals and reading festivals. He attended clinics on how to write a book, how to finish a book.
He explained that they would have all these inspirational slogans and sayings. He said that there were two that really stuck with him and helped him finish the novel.
“One of them said, ‘first get it written then get it right’,” Schiesser explained, “In other words, don’t worry about the first draft being perfect, because if you worry about it being perfect, you would never finish the first draft.”
The second one was, “if you wait for inspiration, you are not a writer, you are a waiter.” That was one of the challenges he faced, but also finding the time to do it and having too many words.
“You don’t need that many, you can say it in half, and that makes it more enjoyable for the reader,” he said.
Schiesser, an engineer by trade said that he has always been writing or been around good writers.
“I always wrote technical papers and I received good reviews,: he explained.
He explained that his sound foundation in writing was built while he was in high school.
“I went to a high school that really emphasized English, grammar, and spelling,” he said. “It gave me an appreciation for good writing.”
He explained that he then wrote some technical articles that were published and eventually wrote a technical book that was also published.
However, writing a novel was always on his mind. As a ‘technical guy’ he know that he was able to write a technical book. But he wondered, could he write a book of fiction?
Stepping out of his comfort zone has proved to be a success for Schiesser.
“I’m really pleased with how it turned out,” he said.
For those considering taking the first step and writing their own books, Schiesser passes along some advice and happily shares what he learned from others.
“First get it written, then get it right,” he said. “Don’t worry about it being perfect the first time, make it through the end, and don’t wait for a bolt of lightning of inspiration to come to you. Just sit down and roll up your sleeves and put your fingers to the keyboard, and write about things you know.”
To learn more about this local author, log onto his website www.rwsai.com
To meet him in person and get your book signed, Rich Schiesser will be at his book signing at :

The La Habra Summer Concert Series began its musical lineup on June 23rd with the Mariachi Divas, and most recently on June 30th with DSB: Journey Tribute Band at El Centro – Lions Park. This year the series put on by the La Habra Community Services Recreation Department celebrates its 30th year featuring free concerts for the community in the park, and most recently at the La Habra Marketplace.

Jay Seidel/La Habra Journal Don’t stop believin’: Lead singer Juan Del Castillo sings a variety of Journey’s greatest hits as part of the band DSB’s performance last week at the annual Summer Concert Series in La Habra.

The department recently changed the series name from Concert In The Park to Summer Concert Series, according to Katie Elmore, the assistant recreation manager for La Habra.
Last Thursday, El Centro/Lions park was filled with over 200 eager residents awaiting DSB, who was scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. and rock out to Journey’s greatest hits under the stars.
The event also featured food and drinks being sold by the La Habra Police Explorers, Kala Truck, and Peejay’s Italian Ice.
The La Habra Recreations Department provided a Kid’s Zone where kids played with hula-hoops and arts and crafts to construct their own stylish glasses. La Habra resident, Julie Rodriguez, attended the event with her friends and was very excited to see DSB perform once more.
“Events like these bring out comradery, unity, and we’re having fun out here enjoying the weather and entertainment,” said Rodriguez.
This was the band’s first time performing for the summer concert series in La Habra. When their agent contacted them if they would be interested in performing for the La Habra community they agreed immediately.
According to the band’s lead vocalist, Juan Del Castillo, outdoor summer concert series are his favorite events to perform for because they get to perform for different communities and hangout with the residents.
DSB was formed in January 2009 and has performed at venues like the Grove of Anaheim and The House of Blues Las Vegas.
“You can tell that people are used to coming out and hearing live music, and not every city has that. It was a very warm welcome especially for our first time out here,” said Del Castillo.
CR & R Environmental Services is the musical series’ main sponsor, and companies including Sprouts, Pizza Rev, La Habra Marketplace Chick-Fil-A, and Grocery Outlet sponsored individual nights, according to Recreation Specialist for the city of La Habra Melissa Rivera.
The Recreation Department began planning for this series in November 2015 when they began polling the community for the type of music or even specific bands they’d like to see perform.
Between the community service commissioners and recreation committee’s community poll, the bands to perform this summer were chosen.
The first two events for the series were held at the El Centro – Lions Park. The remaining three events will take place at the La Habra Marketplace with the next event being on July 7 featuring Retro Soul.
The series continues with Cold Duck performing on July 14 and ends with Kelly Rae Band on July 21.
For more information on this concert series visit the La Habra city website.

Comments Off on Locals rock out in the park to classic tunes at LH annual summer concert series